Deadly Holiday (Southern California Violent Crimes Taskforce #6.5)(11)
Ronni arched a sculpted eyebrow. “Some of us don’t need a gun to take down a bad guy, Mann.”
Shaking his head, Thomas laughed. “That’s my girl.”
Victor nodded at Cooper and Ronni. “Nice work you two.”
“Sorry it took a bit,” Cooper said, handing Via to Celina. “Those air vents are a bitch to maneuver.”
Celina tried to picture Cooper’s large body twisting through the ductwork and failed. “Where did you guys end up?”
“Not far.” Cooper admitted. “We made it to an office a few doors down and called for backup.”
Victor’s gaze traveled over the dozens of heads to Olivia who was talking to several parents. “We need to move the kids back to their rooms and get to the surgical floor to help Dr. Kyan.” He paused to meet Cooper’s solemn stare. “Ortega has a surgeon and two nurses under his control.”
“Celina told me. We need to get them out of there.”
Amber sidled up alongside Celina, stroking Via’s back. “How are you going to do that? Especially without compromising Jana’s health?”
Cooper jerked a hand through his disheveled hair. “Okay, Plan C. Mitch, you and I will stake out the surgical wing to determine the best way to apprehend Ortega without jeopardizing Jana. First, we need to get the kids to the safety of their rooms. How do we get to the surgical wing, Amber?”
“It’s on the second floor.” Amber’s voice wavered, and she paused to clear it. “If you take the back staircase you should be able to get to that floor without being seen. The stairwell is only used by staff, so they’re probably not guarded. When you exit the stairwell, find the lines painted on the floor to help patients find where they’re going. The bright blue line will take you right to surgical. The safest way to get the kids to their rooms is by using the service elevator.”
“Thank you.” Cooper slipped an arm around Celina’s waist to draw her off to the side. Her stomach flip-flopped at his serious face, and she almost dreaded what he was about to say. “I want you to stay here,” he said softly, playing with one of Novia’s soft curls. “Please.” The fear in his eyes when he lifted them to hers took her breath away. “Sophie and Victor will handle the prisoners. All you have to do is take care of Via, okay?”
She mutely nodded.
“You scared the hell out of me when you walked out of that kitchen earlier, and it took everything I had to not go after you.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to respond, pressing a finger firmly over her lips. “I want you to stay here with our daughter where I know you’ll both be safe. I love you so much, Celina. If anything happened to you, I would never forgive myself.”
Tears pricked the backs of her lids and she blinked several times to keep them from spilling over. Damn. When he asked like that, how could she possibly refuse him? She hooked an arm around his neck, careful not to smash Novia as she dragged his mouth down to hers. “Then come back to us, because if you don’t, I’m going to seriously kick your ass.”
He grinned against her mouth, eyes sparkling mischievously. “Deal.”
Chapter Four
True to Ronni’s word, the hallway was clear of guards when Mitch and Cooper stepped out of the cafeteria with the entire group in tow. Normally, Cooper would be clearing the building, not leading those in attendance deeper inside, but the children were worn out from the ordeal, the patients in the group no longer able to even walk. Amber and Olivia helped staff members snag as many wheelchairs as they could quietly find, while the rest of the children were carried by their parents.
Ronni and Thomas had gone on ahead to the oncology floor to make sure the patient rooms were clear. The plan was to move everyone out of harm’s way with Thomas and Ronni standing guard until the hospital was threat-free.
Gun in hand, Mitch led the way down the hall while Cooper brought up the rear, eyes alert for any sign of trouble. An occasional whimper rustled the group, but for the most part, everyone remained quiet, well aware of the danger they were still in.
Where is that SWAT team?
Rounding the corner into the back hall, they stopped outside the service elevator doors, squeezing as many people into the tight space as would fit. Due to the bulky wheelchairs, it wasn’t nearly enough, and tension rode Cooper’s shoulders hard. He hated being so exposed. Anyone coming around the corner would spot them for sure, and if they decided to apply deadly force, they were screwed.
Finally, the cell phone at his hip vibrated with a message, and he breathed a little easier when he saw Ronni’s thumbs up text. “We’re good to go.”
Mitch pressed the button for the service elevator to bring it downstairs. They loaded the first group in as tight as they could fit before Mitch squeezed himself inside. “Be right back.”
The doors slid shut, the silence that followed deafening. Already on edge, Cooper jumped at the slightest noise, keeping a wary eye on the hallway.
Seconds ticked by and became minutes. Come on, Holden. Get your ass back down here already.
A few more agonizing seconds passed, then finally the light over the doors lit up, indicating the elevator was returning. About fucking time.
“Miss me?” Mitch asked when the doors slid open.
Cooper had never been so happy to see Holden’s ugly mug, but there was no way he was going to tell him that. His man card would get revoked.